Since she could make this offer, it was naturally a sure bet.
Mrs. Griffiths had a plump figure, a round face, and a constant smile, giving her a look of prosperity.
She knew that recently Minister Griffiths had been getting close to Franklin, and her family needed a new batch of jade raw materials. Sylvia had just unearthed so much, so she thought buying it would strengthen the relationship between the two families.
Though Mrs. Griffiths appeared prosperous, she was sharp and astute.
“Miss Andrews, what do you think of me as a buyer?”
Sylvia smiled at Mrs. Griffiths. She could tell that Minister Griffiths and Franklin had a close relationship, so she was willing to go along with it and make a friendly deal.
“Sure! Since we are acquaintances, let’s not stick to fifty million. How about an 80% discount, forty million? Harmony brings wealth!”
Mrs. Griffiths’ already cheerful face blossomed into a full smile. “Great, I’ll have my secretary transfer the money right away.”
She whispered a few instructions to a young woman behind her. Soon, several young men came over to start moving the jade raw materials Sylvia had unearthed.
Sylvia kept a piece of ice jade for herself, wanting to carve it personally, so she didn’t sell it.
After providing her account details, Sylvia quickly received forty-five million dollars. Mrs. Griffiths had indeed shown her generosity by transferring an extra five million.
Sylvia raised an eyebrow. “Mrs. Griffiths, you’ve given an extra five million?”
Mrs. Griffiths laughed heartily. “You gave me a discount of ten million; I’m just returning five million. We’re even now.”
Mrs. Griffiths was indeed good at business. Sylvia smiled too. “In that case, since we are fated to meet, how about I host you and Minister Griffiths for dinner?”
They had spent the whole day at the stone gambling event, and it was about time for dinner.
Given the extra five million, remaining silent would make her seem too money-minded.
“Sure! Let’s go now; you can ride in my car.” Mrs. Griffiths made a gesture of invitation, and they all walked outside together.
Mrs. Griffiths’ car was parked in the lot outside-a luxurious extended Rolls-Royce worth millions.
It seemed Mrs. Griffiths’ family was indeed wealthy.
After all, with Minister Griffiths holding significant power, it would be difficult for him to operate without financial support from his family.
Mrs. Griffiths personally opened the car door for Sylvia, who held her hand as she got in and then helped Mrs. Griffiths into the car. “Mrs. Griffiths, what are you doing? You’re making me feel unworthy; I should be calling you sister based on age!”
Mrs. Griffiths laughed heartily. “Oh dear, what sister? I’m in my forties or fifties; I’m clearly an old auntie.”
“Really? You don’t look it at all; you seem like a beautiful lady in her thirties.” Sylvia’s sweet words were like honey.
Though she wasn’t familiar with Minister Griffiths, she could see that Franklin wanted to build ties with him. So naturally, she wouldn’t hold back.
Once everyone was in the car, the Rolls-Royce started up.
Mrs. Griffiths called Minister Griffiths to inform him about the dinner plans.
After hanging up, she slapped her thigh. “Oh no, I forgot to tell Ewan where we’re dining!”
Sylvia smiled. “It has to be the finest restaurant in Aettosa!”
The top restaurant in Aettosa was called “Cloudtop,” featuring a sky garden and a beautiful environment, favored by many high-society elites.
They arrived at Cloud Restaurant half an hour later.
Minister Griffiths had just gotten out of his car when he saw a familiar vehicle approaching.
He stopped and waited. Once the car parked, Sylvia and the others got out.
Mrs. Griffiths walked over to Minister Griffiths. “I have to tell you, I bought something great today.”
She began telling him how she bought Sylvia’s jade raw materials and how impressive Sylvia was at stone gambling.
Minister Griffiths looked at her indulgently as she chattered away until she finished.
He then turned to Franklin with some embarrassment. “Mr. Maskelyne, Mrs. Maskelyne, my wife talks a lot; I hope you don’t mind.”
It was clear the couple had a loving relationship.
“By the way, Mrs. Maskelyne, how did you know there would be jade inside?” Mrs. Griffiths asked curiously.
Sylvia was taken aback by the direct question but quickly smiled. “I’m Old Mr. Thompson’s apprentice. Even my brother Isaac could probably pick stones that all contain jade.”
Hearing Isaac’s name, Minister Griffiths’ expression changed slightly. He glanced quickly at Franklin and only relaxed when he saw Franklin’s calm demeanor.
Sylvia found it odd.
As she pondered this, she noticed a familiar tall figure standing in the lobby of Cloud Restaurant-it was Isaac.
Isaac clearly saw them too.
He smiled warmly at Sylvia. “Sylvia, here for dinner?”
Sylvia nodded. “Isaac.”
“Brother.” After greeting Sylvia, Isaac turned to Franklin. “Why don’t we dine together? Everyone knows each other anyway.”
Brother?
Sylvia looked suspiciously at the strange atmosphere between them.
What kind of odd address was that?
Franklin’s expression turned cold. “Sorry, my wife and I are dining with Minister Griffiths and his wife; we don’t like outsiders present.”
“How can I be an outsider? I’m your elder brother.” Isaac spoke warmly and looked at Sylvia’s puzzled expression before saying, “Sylvia probably doesn’t know yet? Brother, how could you keep such a big thing from Sylvia?”
Sylvia was stunned. “Brother… what are you talking about?”
Could Isaac and Franklin be brothers?
That seemed too ridiculous!
She had never considered their relationship in that way!
Isaac continued to smile gently. “Yes, I was just found by our father recently. I was shocked too! One of us was adopted by the Maskelyne family and the other by the Carr family. Luckily we were both taken in by prominent families; otherwise, we wouldn’t have our current abilities.”
Minister Griffiths almost choked on hearing this.
Franklin also looked at Isaac with an indescribable expression; Isaac always managed to lower his expectations and understanding.
Mrs. Griffiths couldn’t take it anymore either. “Isaac, let’s go inside first; I’m starving.”
Sylvia found this relationship… too strange and bizarre!
Moreover, she sensed that Franklin really disliked Isaac, but Isaac treated her very well…
Once they were seated in their private room and started ordering food, a waiter came over enthusiastically. “This wine is from Mr. Isaac for you all to enjoy.”
He placed the wine on the table and opened it before handing over the menu. “Please take a look at our menu; our specialty dishes are listed.”
Franklin’s face darkened; Isaac’s omnipresence was truly annoying.
Minister Griffiths felt a bit stifled but still addressed Franklin. “Mr. Maskelyne, what would you like to eat?”
Franklin looked at Sylvia instead. “Sylvia, what do you want to order?”
Sylvia glanced at the menu and ordered several signature dishes before asking Mrs. Griffiths for her preferences since she was a regular there and knew what to order.
Once everyone had ordered, the dishes started arriving quickly.
Mrs. Griffiths remarked suspiciously, “Usually when I come here, the service isn’t this fast! Why is it so quick today?”
The waiter smiled warmly. “Ma’am, you must be mistaken; our service speed has always been like this!”
“Strange, I remember it wasn’t this fast before.” Mrs. Griffiths still felt something was off.
Minister Griffiths glanced at Sylvia and Franklin before saying, “I heard Isaac joined the administrative affairs office today.”
“Yes,” Franklin nodded, “I don’t think his ambitions will stop at the administrative affairs office.”
He spoke more tactfully than he wanted to; he originally intended to say Isaac was ambitious…
Sylvia wasn’t foolish; she immediately thought of ancient stories of princes vying for the throne.
Was Isaac also competing for the presidency?
He had said he couldn’t attend the Cultural Heritage Fair because he had work with the president?
Thoughts raced through Sylvia’s mind; if Isaac and Franklin were rivals, she would naturally side with Franklin without hesitation.
If it were fair competition, that would be fine… but what if it wasn’t?
Given Isaac’s methods, who knew if he would resort to underhanded tactics…
Sylvia’s guard went up instantly.
Meanwhile, in another private room, Isaac sat coldly in the main seat surrounded by several middle-aged men who flattered him obsequiously. “Isaac, now that you’re out in the open… you’ll be the president’s eldest son…”
“So what?” Isaac swirled his wine glass and narrowed his eyes. “I’m just a son; Franklin is the legitimate heir.”
“What does legitimacy matter? The position goes to whoever is capable! Those without ability step down!” The middle-aged man closest to Isaac laughed maliciously. “I don’t think he has your exceptional skills; even the president values you!”
“He is close to Minister Griffiths; just Minister Griffiths alone is worth more than all of you combined.” Isaac irritably downed his wine in one gulp. “Look at you all; I’ve been planning for years, yet you’re still stuck.”
The middle-aged man’s expression stiffened instantly, his voice lowering. “Isaac, please calm down; given time, we’ll surely unseat Ewan for you. Rest assured!”